Published: Friday, 5th March, 2010 6:34pm

Local singers staging 'Messiah' this Sunday

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The Cathedral of Christ the King will be filled with the thrilling music of George Handel's 'Messiah' on Sunday next when the Mullingar Choral Society host their Spring concert.

Conducted by Fergus O'Carroll, the Choral Society aim high with one of the most popular works in the Western choral literature, engaging guest soloists Cara O'Sullivan (Soprano), Edel O'Brien (Alto), Harry Nicoll (Tenor) and Philip O'Reilly (Bass), accompanied by the Dublin Baroque Players on what promises to be a very special evening in the stunning surrounds of the Mullingar Cathedral.

This is the second time Mullingar Choral Society, which was founded 1968, has performed Handel's unassuming masterpiece, having previously presented 'Messiah' in the Millennium year, again under the directorship of Fergus O'Carroll.

The choir which has swelled to over 100 singers in recent times, will have close to forty of the original choralists which performed the concert ten years ago, taking part again on Sunday night.

Accompanying the Choral Society will be the Dublin Baroque Players - founded in 1966 under the sponsorship of the Dublin Region of the Institution of Engineers of Ireland (Music and Dramatic Soc.), the orchestra is Dublin's longest serving string orchestra and draws on its membership from Ireland's top amateur musicians.

And to do justice to Handel's most famous work, Mullingar Choral Society have engaged some of Ireland's and Britain's best soloists, ensuring the night to be a resounding success.

Philip O'Reilly made his operatic debut with the Glybdebourne Touring Opera in their acclaimed production of Rossini's "Cenerentola" as Dom Magnifico. This led to regular appearances on stage in opera houses. More recently Philip has appeared in Opera Ireland's production of Britten's Midsummernight's Dream, and will be singing with them this autumn in their upcoming production of Wagner's Das Rheingold.

His concert repertoire is considerable ranging from medieval to contemporary music.

Cara O'Sullivan won the RTÉ Musician of the Future competition in 1990 and has since risen to prominence as one of Ireland's leading sopranos.

Cara is renowned for her interpretation of Der Koningin der Nacht Die Zauberflote. She has recorded frequently for RTE radio and television and her solo album was released in Ireland in 2003.

Edel O'Brien graduated with an honours Masters Degree in Music and Performance from NUI Maynooth. At the age of nineteen she won the Margaret Burke-Sheridan Cup at the Dublin Féis Ceoil. In London, she was awarded a scholarship to study singing at Trinity College of Music where she won a Distinction in her Postgraduate Diploma in Vocal Studies. In addition she won the Vocal Faculty Award and the College Gold Medal. Edel has much experience in opera, oratorio and recital, having worked around Ireland, Britain and France.

Harry Nicoll's repertoire is extensive, ranging from Monteverdi to Mathias, and incorporates all the major choral works of Bach, Handel, Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven, Berlioz and Mendelssohn.

He regularly records for the BBC and is a favourite on Radio 2's "Friday Night is Music Night".

This is one line-up not to be missed! Tickets are available from Days Bazaar, the Mullingar Arts Centre, Society members and at the door on the night.